Van Barneveld has reached the Semi-Finals in his last three visits to Ally Pally but has not been immune to an early exit in recent times, notably suffering a straight sets defeat to James Richardson in the opening round in 2012.

And North admits he has used that match as inspiration to pull off his own giant-killing as he looks to exploit what he has identified as chinks in Barney's armour.

"I've watched that game back about five times just to try and see what I need to do and get some inspiration from it," he added.

"If his head starts shaking then that's when I can really get in front and take advantage of it.

"I was at an exhibition last week and spoke to Phil Taylor and he gave me a few words of advice for playing Barney, which was good of him.

"I've had a lot of people asking me for tickets but I don't want to take too many people with me as I need to keep my head on.

"I'm there for one reason only and that's to win."

The Hampshire thrower, who regularly practices with Simon Whitlock, quit his job as a bricklayer earlier this year and admits the decision has already paid dividends.

"I've gone full-time professional now," added North."I gave myself a year to see if I could make some money from darts and if not I'd go back to bricklaying but it's gone alright so far so I haven't had to go back.

"My management [Modus] take great care of me and that relieves a lot of stress."

North, whose new nickname is 'Lionheart', has climbed to 57 in the main Order of Merit and has already set his sights on greater heights in 2018.

"My goal by the end of next year is to break into the top 32," he added.

"I was looking at the stats on Twitter and provisionally I'll be number 51 after the Worlds even if I don't win, so without defending any money next year I think I can make the top 32."